STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

So remember how I was moving to Charlotte (and my husband already moved)? I haven't officially moved yet because I haven't found a job. But now, DH has gotten a promotion and they are relocating him to Charleston, SC, probably in June. I'm super excited about Charleston because I actually considered moving there several years ago (and it's by the beach- woohoo!). 

And it seems like they are jobs that aren't contracting jobs, which is pretty much all I was finding in Charlotte. I was also told by recruiters (and other people told DH) that the only way to get a job in Charlotte is if you know someone or a recruiter places you, so I was having a very difficult time. Probably my worst job search on record, actually. 

From what I can see, there are some really good jobs in Charleston and they aren't posted by recruiting companies. They are full-time, higher level (management) jobs, so I'm hoping I'll be able to find something there. Plus there's a good indie fashion scene there and Charleston Fashion Week, which is really exciting to me!

But rather than me waiting to move until I find a job, DH wants me to quit my job and just move with him in June and focus on my pet photography business for a while to see I can get that going. I'm sort of okay with that, but hate giving up my income! I am about sick of the corporate crap I've been dealing with, so it would certainly be nice to work for myself for a while. 

Anyway, does anyone here know anything else about Charleston? Also, has anyone ever quit their job to move with a significant other? How was that? 

I took my mom to Charleston last November for a week. I loved it. The city itself was wonderful. Good food, extremely friendly people, clean and well laid out streets (well, they do get twisty, but navigating wasn't difficult.) I think you'll like it there. There's a college town feel to it, but also a working city vibe. It was a very livable city in my estimation.

I did see a lot of photographers doing what I assume were engagement photo shoots. Maybe you should think about expanding the side job from just pets to couples too. There was definitely a market there. I saw a few blended families getting professional photos done (I'm assuming that they were engaged couples with kids.) You could market your services as a whole family shoot: couple, kids and the loyal pet?

relrel wrote:

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kenzie wrote:

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 Also, has anyone ever quit their job to move with a significant other? How was that? 

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 This is how John and I did our cross-country move. We decided to leave Philadelphia and just started looking for jobs pretty much anywhere that wasn't East Coast. The rule we decided on was whomever got a job first won, that's where we would be moving. So, I got the job in Portland and John moved without having one. He ended up finding something within a week (which is amazing as Portland has a pretty high unemployment rate) but it's not really a job that he wants to stay in, plus the pay is pretty shitty.

So, this is my advice to you, based on how it's gone for us. Do it. Period. But be aware that not having a job can sometimes kill a person mentally and emotionally. Since my job pays a lot more than John's, I pay for a lot more around the house and when we go out. I know that this upsets him but that he doesn't really have much of a choice. We also moved to Philadelphia without him having a job and that was much worse as he didn't have a job for several months, I think. The sitting at home and just doing nothing really hurt him mentally.

I guess what i'm saying is, be aware of the financial strains that moving without a job can have. Talk them through with Dave, and then just for freaking christ do it. Move.

Also, since you want to stick with pet photography, you might want to think about advertising to places that tourists would see it. Nowadays, people take their pets with them on vacation and I bet people would love to have pictures of their pets on the beach. Maybe talk to some of the hotels? Or talk to the travel guides?

-- Edited by relrel on Friday 6th of April 2012 11:41:24 AM

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Ooooh....tourists with pets! Good idea! Thanks!

Honestly, I think my current job is killing my self-esteem more than not having a job would. I still have grad school to keep me occupied, at least through summer plus I could work on the photography business. 

I definitely think we are at the point where we do just have to move and that's it. Both of us. At the same time. Commuting back and forth between cities is getting to be insane. Also, Charleston has a really low cost of living (surprisingly) compared to where we are now, and it's a lower than Charlotte, too. Plus he'll be getting a promotion and a raise along with it, so we'll be okay.

I think what will kill me is just not having my own personal steady flow of cash to buy things when I want to buy them, so hopefully, I'll find a job soon or the photography business will take off quickly.